Hindu wedding

The main steps of a Hindu marriage
Jayamaala
The parents of bride’s welcome the bridegroom and his family at the gate where marriage is going on, their forehead is decorated with the tilak. The new couple exchange the garlands.
Madhu-Parka
The bridegroom sit on a place which is decorated known as the mandap and a drink is offered which is made by milk, yogurt, honey and sugar.

Gau Daan and Kanya Pratigrahan
This is a ceremony where gifts are exchanged and the mother of groom a present a mangla sootra (Necklace) to bride. In Hindu’s it is marital status token for Hindu ladies.
Moreover the father of bride declared that their daughter accepted the bridegroom, and request that accept their daughter.
Vivaha-homa
A Priest recites some mantras in Sanskrit language near the holy fire, oblations are offered to the fire whilst saying the prayers.
Paanigrahan
In this ceremony the husband hold the hand of his wife and says that he hold her hand in the spirit of Dharma and now we are husband and wife.
Shilarohan and Laaja Homa
The bride and groom walk four time around the sacred fire, three time bride leads and fourth time groom leads.The husband put the red kumkum powder in the hair of wife, this is known as sandoor and it differentiate the married and unmarried hindu women.
Sapta-Padi
The main and important ceremony of Hindu marriages is this in which the new couple take seven steps, there are seven vows which are exchanged and then the marriage knot is tied after this segment.
Surya Darshan and Dhruva Darshan
The newly wed couple look at the sun for blessing and polar star and resolve they would remain as solid and prominent as the polar star.
Ashirvad
The new couple is blessed by families elders and priest for a happy married life.